4S Ranch teen picked for national leadership program

4S Ranch resident Samantha Vu is getting first-hand experience in leadership through a Bank of America program that has her working with Poway youths.

Vu recently returned from a week-long trip to Washington, D.C., where she and four other San Diego County teens participated in their program’s Student Leadership Summit.

From July 10 to 15, 220 teens from across the United States discussed how to build a more diverse and inclusive society, gained a better understanding of how cross-sector collaboration creates community impact, and became part of a community leaders network that supports their citizenship and engagement.

“It was really fun,” Vu said about her expense-paid trip to D.C., her first visit to the nation’s capital. “We talked about current events, like racism and gun control, and listed to a variety of speakers and panels.

“I learned about the relationship between government, non-profits and businesses, and how to make a change in the community,” she said.

The teens also went sightseeing. “We visited a lot of national landmarks, which was really cool and connected back to what I learned at school in AP government,” she said.

Vu graduated in June from Del Norte High School. The 18-year-old is headed to the University of California Riverside this fall, where she plans to major in computer science.

“This program helps me (with my career aspirations),” she said. “I want to study computer science so I can make developments in biomedicine and technology in the future to improve the quality of life for the disabled and injured, like those with prosthetic limbs. ... (I might) work with non-profits or work with (businesses) to make technology more affordable to the public.”

The D.C. summit was part of Vu’s eight-week paid internship with Community HousingWorks. She works 35 hours a week between two of its Poway affordable housing areas, Haley Ranch and Hillside.

Her time is divided between revamping the program’s homework hour for children living in its communities and working with youths in fourth grade through high school at each housing area’s learning center, she said.

Vu said she has some experience in the field, since she was an assistant coach for Oak Valley Middle School’s Science Olympiad team. She was part of that activity throughout middle and high school and Vu credited it with exposing her to science, technology, engineering and math fields — known collectively as STEM — and inspiring her intended career path.

Bank of America’s Student Leaders program is designed to offer high school juniors and seniors, who are engaged community citizens, with an opportunity to build their workforce and leadership skills through a paid summer internship at Community HousingWorks.

“Internship opportunities help teens build the skills they need to establish a career and get on a path toward financial stability,” said Rick Bregman, Bank of America’s San Diego market president. “Helping youth access resources and skills that prepare them for future success is an important part of our efforts to address the underlying issues related to economic mobility as we work to create a thriving and diverse San Diego economy.”

Vu said she learned about the program through her high school counselor.

“I’ve really enjoyed my experience and have learned so much,” Vu said. “I recommend any student considering it to apply.”